They may look like they are standard AA cells but that is only because they are the same size. Theinternal structure is most likely quite different.

Nah, I'm pretty sure they're basically just rechargeable AA's when it comes right down to it. I've successfully replaced the stock cells with actual rechargeable AA's, and I've seen websites illustrating the same for various laptop batteries. There may be some obscure difference, but if AA's work, then they're the same by me. If it quacks like a duck, then it probably is.

Actually, the AA battery idea isn't so far fetched. I haven't opened up an recent laptop batteries, but I can attest that at least the PowerBook 5300 and the Newton MP 2000 all use standard rechargeable AA cells in the batteries. I know this is the case for many PC laptop batteries as well. Replacing the cells in my Newton battery gave it life again, albeit an unimpressive amount of life, in part because I used really cheap rechargeables.

Most battery packs use standard cells, its just some are more standard than others. best thing to have for a recelling is a good ruler and a copy of the Digi-Key catalog.

Quote:

Anybody here open up an iBook battery? If it's readily done, I'd like to re-cell my dead one.

I think it has but I don't know where I've seen it. Get a good sharp xacto knife and run it around any seams you find. With luck that should break the ultrasonic welds and give you access to the cells. At least thats always been the general rule of thumb for recelling.

I'd love to "re-cell" one of my Pismo batteries, but I will most likely by an aftermarket "extended Life" batt. Two actually that is one of the cool things about the "Pismo" you can remove the drive bay and install a second Batt. I will run that "Pismo" until it melts great machine, I have a DVD drive, a Zip drive, and a floppy drive for it. Here is the cool thing I found a web page that talks about moding a Dell combo drive to fit in the Apple removable bay, if I go down that road I will keep you posted.

the pismos were completely different. they are your more modern design. they are much too light to be like the 5300 and other older batteries. the pismo is just too nice. i'd go down to the local battery store and see if they have the appropraite cells there.

You need to be sure to get exactly the same cells if you're recelling a lith-ion battery. There's some electronics in there that won't play nice with cells that aren't exactly the same as the stock ones. Tho' if you want your system to melt...

yes. if you use the wrong ANYTHING, it will just fry either the power management unit, or the battery itself. luckly the pmu can be had from a scrap pismo to just above $100. you have to remove all of the plastics on it to acheive that one. i've replaced about 7 of them. can't remember exactly, but that's about right. when playing with non-approved equipment, always match, like anything electronic.

as for ibooks, havn't seen a recell on that, but it doesn't mean someone hasn't tried it. i'll look around.

I could not figure out how to open up one of the ibook batteries for the clamshell. I ended up spending $90 and getting a new one.

And now the darn thing has a motherboard problem and it won't charge.

It just never ends.

What you have is a dead PMU/Charge board (a small board located on the front left of the iBook that controls charging) a simple fix (may not work but its worth a shot) to this could be a PMU reset on the clamshell, above the power button where it slands down by the display hinge, there is a small button. remove your battery and power supple, wait a few seconds, press this button with a paperclip, wait 5 seconds till you re install your battery and power supply and it should work, if not start hitting ebay.

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